(1) The Commission shall have the following functions, namely:—
(a) to examine all matters relating to the safeguards provided for women under the Constitution of India and other laws;
(b) to present to the State Government annually and at such other times as the Commission may think fit, reports upon the working of such safeguards;
(c) to make in such reports recommendations for the effective implementation of such safeguards for improving the conditions of women by the State;
(d) to review from time to time, the existing provisions of laws relating to women and recommend amendments therein for the purpose of providing remedial legislative measures to meet with inadequate provisions of such laws;
(e) to take up the cases of violation of the provisions of the Constitution of India and of other laws relating to women with the appropriate authorities;
(f) to look into complaints and take suo moto notice of matters relating,—
(i) deprivation of women's rights;
(ii) non-implementation of laws enacted to provide protection to women and to achieve the objects of equality and development;
(iii) non-compliance of policy decisions, guidelines or instructions aimed at mitigating hardships and ensuring welfare and providing relief to women, and to take up the issues arising out of such matters with appropriate authorities;
(g) to call for special studies or investigations into specific problems or situations arising out of discrimination and atrocities against women and to identify the constraints so as to recommend strategies for their removal;
(h) to undertake promotional and educational research for the purposes of— 2002 : Guj. 12 ] The Gujarat State Commission for women Act, 2002. 5
(i) suggesting ways of ensuring due representation of women in all spheres;
(ii) identifying factors responsible for impeding their advancement, such as, lack of access to housing and basic services, inadequate support services and technology for reducing drudgery and occupational health hazards and for increasing their productivity;
(i) to participate and advise on the planning of socio-economic development of women;
(j) to evaluate the progress of the development of women under the State;
(k) to inspect or cause to be inspected a jail, remand home, women's institution or other place of custody where women are kept as prisoners or otherwise, and to take up with the concerned authorities for remedial action, if necessary;
(l) to provide fund for litigation involving issues affecting a large body of women;
(m) to endeavour to promote through the media a more positive image or balanced depiction of women in society and continuously to interact, and try to educate the public opinion through media to enhance sensitivity to gender issues and bring about gender parity;
(n) to any other matter which may be referred to it by the State Government.
V of 1908.
15. The Commission shall, for the purposes of any inquiry under this Act, have the same powers as are vested in a civil court while trying a suit under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in respect of the following matters, namely:— Powers of Commission.
(a) summoning and enforcing the attendance of any witness and examining him;
(b) requiring the discovery and production of any document;
(c) receiving evidence on affidavits;
(d) requisitioning any public records or copy thereof from any public office;
(e) issuing commissions for examination of witnesses:
Provided that the Commission shall not exercise aforesaid powers in respect of the matter which might be in conflict with said matter pending before the court of law.
16. The State Government may consult the Commission in respect of major policy matters affecting women.
Consultation with Commission.
6 The Gujarat State Commission for women Act, 2002. [2002 : Guj. 12 Protection of action taken in good faith.
17. No suit, prosecution or other legal proceedings shall be instituted against the Chairperson or any member or any officer or other employee of the Commission or any person acting under the direction either of the State Government or of the Commission for anything which is in good faith done, or intended to be done under this Act or the rules or orders made thereunder.
Grants by State Government.